Comments on: Motorcycles And Cars Seeing Each Other.

By: BADD

BADD — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 05:58:17 +0000

BADD did not get involved in the Billy Lane case because thats not what BADD does.
For 23 years we have assisted victims and spread awareness, period.
We are not political in any way.
Money has nothing to do with it. You wanted to win a bike so you bought a few tickets.

39Dan

By: Brock

Brock — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 23:22:10 +0000

It appears if a driver is drinking then killing someone is justified. Sometimes no citiation is issued to a driver ….if the driver isn’t drinking.

By: David

David — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 20:24:32 +0000

My son in law’s uncle was just killed by a young woman that crossed over the line and hit him head on while she was “TEXTING”.I dont know why they ever let this kind of shit go on.Can you just call and say (I’ll be home shortly),Perferably with ahands and eyes free voice activated system.PLEASE people drive RESPONSIBLY!!!!!!

By: cooldaddy

cooldaddy — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 01:42:12 +0000

Its a fact that if any drunk driver Billy Lane included ever killed a member of my family , he had better hope that he gets the “safe zone” of a very long prison sentance. Where he can sit and worry about the day he gets out. “So it shall be written , so it shall be done”.

By: confused

confused — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 22:58:10 +0000

It is a shame when a car driven by someone not paying attention hits a biker or even worse when a car or truck is driven by a drunk kills a biker. Or is it? It just simply amazes me that some of you will write that the driver of a car should pay big time for an accident and even go to prison for life if driving drunk and kill a biker but, those same people say that Billy Lane should get a fair trial or he is not at fault or that his victim was not a real biker, so it really don’t count the same as if he was on a harley. Has anyone else noticed that Bikers against Drunk Drivers has been absent during this whole Billy Lane case? Is it really any surprise? I think they only want to make money pretending to be against drunk drivers. I bet Bikers against drunk drivers thinks that if they get involved in the billy lane case they could lose some support from the people that idolize billy. Lost support equals lost money. Bet they didn’t think about people like me that have given money in the past but will not give again because of there lack of involvement in the billy lane case. It is funny how if it is the Idol “BILLY LANE” people go alot easier on him than they would if it was someone they don’t know or care about. Just remember the next victim of a famous drunk or even of the bad boy Billy Lane could be some one you love and care about. And if it is what would you be saying? should he still be let off? should he still be getting to walk free? I have had a close family member killed by a drunk driver it changes the lives of all family left behind. I know that my oppinion does not mean anything to you people but I have as much right as anyone else to give it. and besided it is free so take it for what it is worth. Billy’s attorney’s can only delay things for so long then he will get what is coming. Just ask O.J. karma is a mean bitch

By: Troy

Troy — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 22:03:13 +0000

A poor soul was eliminated in Austin a few months ago by a long bed gravel truck running the light and the news media reported that the rider was wearing his helmet. Most people will die before they can hear someone say they didn’t see that rider in the bright yellow jacket. My thoughts are always the same, expect them, to kill you because they will.

By: hoyt

hoyt — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 17:31:41 +0000

Brock – it is not the crotch rocket. It is the rider. Remove the rider, not the bike.

By: rodent

rodent — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 01:50:52 +0000

When I was riding the mean streets of the Big Rotton Apple we use to carry used spark plugs to toss over our shoulder one we passed a threatining car usually a taxi…but that was then.

By: Brock

Brock — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 17:03:05 +0000

Remove CROTCH ROCKETS from public streets,highways,freeways, and a whole lot of motorists will have MORE respect for the motorcycle rider. Outrages speeds while lane changing, stunts of all kinds are leading a lot of motorists to want to end a motorcyle riders riding . These CROTCH ROCKET IDOITS are leading motorists to wanting to bring ANY motorcyle rider down.

By: Mike Greenwald

Mike Greenwald — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 16:46:42 +0000

There have been several reports generated to further insulate riders and drivers from personal responsibility. Once that concept is grasped the government leads you to believe that these recognition devices will save the life of you or your loved one.

Normally, on a nonmotorcycle site, this would be called hogwash. In this case, I shall refrain from calling it hogwash and use the less refined term of bullshit. Yes, this is bullshit.

This erroneous thinking is brought forth to you by people employed in jobs that want to remove more of your money by hook or by crook.

Here are a couple of them:

http://www.apa.org/journals/releases/xap92119.pdf.
or the HTML version
http://74.125.45.132/custom?q=cache:1LD2Nz3qoS4J:www.apa.org/journals/releases/xap92119.pdf+study+on+target+fixation+while+driving&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=7&gl=us&client=pub-8993703457585266

another study done is here
http://www.monash.edu.au/muarc/reports/Other/racv0101.html

Pay attention

By: cooldaddy

cooldaddy — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 12:52:25 +0000

Here’s a deterrent,
Front fenders have built into them a sensor that triggers a hidden compartment of c4 when impacting a vehicle. At the split second before impact another sensor will spring the riders seat to the rear ejecting him off of his bike to the rear and safety . The uninjured rider can then watch the blast of his bikes impact and the smile coming off of the drivers face as he realizes he f***cked with the wrong person. Just an idea from someone who has done a few broadslides to avoid collision. Still have to work on a “soft” landing for the rider.

-cooldaddy-

By: Nicker

Nicker — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 03:53:52 +0000

Well, after riding to school for a number of years and then commuted to work for over 35 years that anecdotal experiences would suggest people haven’t changed much. However, today there are simply more of them. So……

RE:
“… The majority of drivers seem to be more aware and accepting than years ago…”

That’s probably because more people now either have a family member or friend who rides and therefor may be somewhat more empathetic to those who ride.

But that factor is over ridden by the fact that the available road-space has not tracked with the increase in traffic, so there is an increase in the danger simply by an increase in the congestion.

Moreover, since the population as a whole is getting dumber (human entropy), the number of DWS (driving while stupid) incidents have dramatically increased.

Having said all that, the bad news is that “stupidity” (either on the part of the rider or the motorist) isn’t illegal. Trying to find a cure for this problem is like trying to find a cure for World Hunger…. There isn’t one…..

Ride like your life depends on it……..’cause it DOES….!!!!
-nicker-

By: Boss Hawg

Boss Hawg — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 22:57:59 +0000

Great article Cyril.

It’s a shame that so many fellow motorcycle riders have to perish in such a harsh manner with most through no fault of their own.

Personally I believe all Department of Motor Vehicles Drivers Licensing Departments should have mandatory motorcycle awareness programs tailored into the drivers and renewal examinations.

By: Black Shadow

Black Shadow — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 19:34:16 +0000

Watch out ksw, over here (USA) there are scores of collisions between cars and emergency vehicles mostly bright red and yellow fire trucks. The #1 excuse given by the driver is I didn’t see it! You have to look before you can see. I comute to work everyday and have for 30 years. (Average 30,000 miles per year) This is not a new problem but I would have to say saftey and education might be making a difference. The majority of drivers seem to be more aware and accepting than years ago, maybe because there are more bikes, publicity, etc. I think the problem is as more of us are on the road there is more exposure and the advent of texting is becoming a little scary.

By: harry

harry — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 14:36:28 +0000

To a certain degree Steveb; I agree w/ you–I think being able to safely operate vehicles on two or four wheels would be good, and to start out on a motorcycle (or God forbid, a scooter, yes I said it, please keep the ball-busting to a minimum/lol) would improve skills on the road as well; but on a serious note again–there are too many fucktards out there that wouldn’t be able to do it and cry discrimination of some sort, then we would be back to where we are at now. I have Rodent and many other posters mention it on here, we (the USA) need to become a more motorcycle-friendly country. When weather allows, motorcycle riding should not only be encouraged but possibly rewarded. A good motorcycle rider is usually a safe one and they are more economical and require less space to park one as opposed to a car. Less space taken up by parking garages/lots in the bigger cities and less of an enviromental footprint overall. Obviously you couldn’t ride one in Minnesota during the winter, but why not park the car and ride your bike to work when the weather allows?

By: J

Sat, 03 Jan 2009 14:15:47 +0000

Even sadder, this could all happen TOMORROW, given legislation that didn’t have it’s head up it’s ass; But no, let’s instead focus resources on CARB and other bullshit entities that have absolutely NO empiricle basis of fact in science to exist, and ignore something that would actually SAVE LIVES and better society.

But hey, that’s ok- let’s continue to pay for worthless NHTSA studies, let’s continue to let insurance companies fund farcicle foundations that make meaningless suggestions, and let’s just do what we’ve always done- pretend to be concerned about the fact that an alarming percentage of motorists on the road have NO business holding a license, because the reality is, you CAN be functionally incapable of operating a scooter in Walmart, yet drive out of the parking lot in your ‘86 Buick no problem…..

By: ksw

ksw — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 13:59:26 +0000

I’ve had my share of near collision incidents over the years
but now I’m wearing a Hi-Viz lime yellow jacket by O.M.S.
I swear people eyes bug when they see me coming. I’d love
to hear someone say they didn’t see me in that jacket.

Then their is the US driver training or lack their of. I bet if
Americans had to go through what Europeans have to for a
license we’d have more mass transit in the U.S.

Is it the same brain dead law makers that allow cell phone use
while driving (profits over all else)? I’ve had so many incidents
with people on their phone it’s not funny. Text messaging, don’t
even get me started.

By: steveb

steveb — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 13:27:15 +0000

how about this.
prior to getting a car license you must spend a year+ on 2-wheels?

tell me if you dont think that will increase folks sensitivity to what is going on on the road…
nothing is ever the same once you’ve piloted a bike in traffic

all the laws are designed to punish a motorist AFTER one of us has gotten nailed.
how about trying to prevent becoming a hood ornament in the first place?

By: Walt Lumpkin

Walt Lumpkin — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 12:54:27 +0000

Late last year here in the Florida Panhandle from Panama City to Pensacola it seemed that every few days there was a story in the local news about another biker being killed by a negligent motorist.

Even though the driver was clearly in the wrong the news media always seemed to try and find a way to lay the blame at the feet of the dead or maimed biker. And yes, the usual excuse of the driver was “I didn’t see him”. The real answer is that they didn’t take the time to look.

Additionally in each story you could always count on the media to tell you whether the rider was wearing a helment or not. I put a verbal boot up the ass of one Pensacola newspaper reporter for concentrating on the fact a dead biker was not wearing a helment and all but ignoring the fact that a guy pulled across the roadway with a trailer in tow into the path of a biker observing the speed limit.

In Florida it is apparently not a serious infraction to kill a biker since the “crime” is usually a misdemeanor and the punishment amounts to no more than a slap on the wrist. A $75-150 fine for failure to yield is little consulation to the family of a dead biker. The Florida courts and negligent drivers could save a lot of money in court costs and lawyer’s fees if the state would post the cost of killing a biker and just let the drivers mail in the fine money.

By: harry

harry — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 12:25:04 +0000

Here’s a novel idea: How about putting neglient drivers behind bars when they kill motorcycle riders? There are too many assholes out on the road that would rather run a motorcycle off of the road as opposed to share the road w/ him or her. You all know who I am talking about, the fuckstick in the oversized luxury car yapping on the phone, drinking a coffee, and looking at his/her GPS cause they’re late to the next meeting, or some dumb ass in a minivan/SUV applying makeup (if they are female), yelling at their kids, have the DVD player w/ cartoons on cranked up to max so they are tuned out to what is going on outside, probably yapping to the jackass in the luxury car bitching about the bills, and there is the teenage kid w/ the fast car and stereo system that is loud as hell hauling ass to and from trying to impress the guys and/or his girlfriend. All of those factors and that spells trouble for the bike rider. Don’t even factor the drunk drivers into it yet or I will be here all day… Honda I think is trying to do the right thing but at the same time the people w/ 4 wheels need to pay a LOT (and I mean a LOT) more attention while they are driving on the road, and who else is sharing that road with them, that is just my humble opinion, for what it is worth…